Digital preservation of historical and cultural values

Phu Tho — a land steeped in history and rich in cultural traditions — is home to more than 320 officially recognized relic sites. In the digital era, the digitization of these relics has emerged as one of the most effective methods for safeguarding their historical and cultural value. The national program for digitizing Vietnam’s cultural heritage, spanning from 2021 to 2030, aims to build a comprehensive national database system on a digital technology platform. This effort has yielded meaningful results, helping not only to preserve cultural treasures but also to promote and elevate their value to domestic and international audiences alike.

Youth Union members in Ha Hoa Town scan QR codes to learn about the Man Pagoda relic site.

Digitizing relics using QR codes is a standout initiative led by the young generation in the Ancestral Land as part of their commitment to digital transformation. To date, more than 20 projects titled “Young People of the Land of the Ancestors Promote Digital Transformation of Historical and Cultural Relics” have been implemented at key red addresses and heritage sites across the province. The QR code system, which provides instant access to information about each relic, offers an innovative way to deliver essential details to both locals and tourists. It is also a smart solution to enhance public outreach and tourism promotion. By simply scanning a QR code, users are immediately directed to detailed descriptions of the site via the website https://www.ditichphutho.vn.

As a locality with 56 classified historical and cultural relics, Viet Tri City has taken the lead in this endeavor. Today, 100% of its relic sites are equipped with bilingual QR code boards — in both Vietnamese and English — placed prominently at the entrances for convenient access. This initiative plays an important role in promoting local heritage and strengthening the cultural identity of Viet Tri.

After a visit and immersive experience of Xoan singing at the Hung Lo Communal House, Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Nhung from Hanoi shared:

“By scanning the QR code here, I could easily access useful and informative content, which is especially helpful for first-time visitors like myself. I was particularly impressed by the audio narration — it made it possible for us to explore the site while learning about its history, architecture, and cultural significance.”

Beyond Viet Tri, many other relic sites across the province have also been digitized — including Khoang and Thach Khoan communal houses in Thanh Son District; Au Co Temple in Ha Hoa District; Tien Dong Base in Cam Khe; Ton Son – Mo Xuan Base in Yen Lap; Hoang Long Pagoda in Phu Ninh; Du Yen Temple in Thanh Ba; Dao Xa Communal House in Thanh Thuy; the Uncle Ho Memorial House in Lam Thao; Ly Nam De Temple and Dinh Danh Huu Temple; and Phuc Thanh Pagoda and Duc Ba Temple in Tam Nong District.

By embracing digital technology, people now have easier access to a growing digital repository of cultural data. This digitization effort has significantly contributed to both the preservation and dissemination of heritage values in the Land of the Ancestors. At the same time, it serves as a model for promoting digital transformation in heritage tourism and attracting an increasing number of visitors to this culturally rich land — the sacred homeland of the Vietnamese people.

Phuong Thanh